Bloodstorm (Heart of a Vampire) (16 page)

“
Now you need to be fixed up.” She brought his hand to her mouth and tenderly licked his wounds, savoring the exotic taste of his blood. When she finished, his bleeding had stopped.

“
Damn it, woman. I’m supposed to be tending to you.”

She arched a brow. “If you call me woman in that tone one more time, you’ll need more than a doctor.”

He looked like he was about to explode. She reached up on tiptoe and kissed him.

Beneath her hands, the tension slipped from his shoulders. She leaned back, looking him up and down.

“
That’s better.”

He shook his head, turning as a police car rolled into the parking lot. Shane’s deputy and another officer jumped out and headed their way.

The two men took in Niki’s blood stained blouse and started scrambling. “We need an ambulance,” Campton said.

The other guy, much younger, leaned heavily against the truck, trying not to faint.

Niki solved it by smiling at them, showing her fangs clearly. Campton relaxed, but the kid jumped a good foot.

“
I’ll live,” she said shortly.

Shane took a wet towel from the waitress who’d brought it out and gently wiped Niki’s neck.

From his relief the wounds must be healed.

She considered him. “You know, I think you have something mighty special in your blood. That’s twice I’ve tasted it, and twice I’ve healed faster than normal.”

He shrugged, but something in his gaze said he knew exactly what she was talking about. Interesting.

“
Now.” She settled a hand on her hip. “I’m leaving. With, or without you.”

Shane turned to the deputies. “Follow us.”

Niki sighed. They’d be nothing but food for Thomas, no match for his vampire strength or speed. But she wasn’t going to waste time arguing. A small voice whispered in her mind that she might not be much match for her sire regardless how strong she’d become. Niki ignored the spark of fear. She wouldn’t allow him to win.

Chapter Thirteen

A
s dawn grew closer, crickets chirped and a few birds sang. The wind whistled through the leaves. Nature’s orchestra serenading them.

Niki stepped through a thick cluster of trees and gasped.

Shane hadn’t been paying attention to exactly where they were, but rather made sure the vampire they tracked didn’t jump out and try to hurt Niki again. As he followed her through the trees, hand on his gun, he realized they were at the shore of the lake.

Niki kicked a rock. It tumbled over the ground and splashed into the water. “He’s gone.”

“
We’ll find him.”

She looked at him with such misery in her eyes, his gut clenched. Between that, and trying to push away the turmoil of seeing her so close to death, he decided to share something with her. Something special he’d never shown another woman. The caves.

He pulled out his radio. “Campton?”

The radio crackled as Chase answered. “Yeah, boss?”

“
We’re done for the night. Go home and sleep. I’ll see you in the office this afternoon.”

“
Got it.”

Shane clicked the radio off and took Niki’s hand.

“
Come.”

She let him lead her around the lake’s edge. Nearby, a rocky cliff jutted up from the shore.

He glanced at Niki. “How brave are you?”

She smirked. “Braver than you, Sheriff.”

“
This way.”

They scrambled over a few boulders, reaching the thin ledge that led out over the water. Shane balanced himself against the wall and inched across. He glanced back to see Niki walking without any issues at all.

Vampires.

They finally reached a narrow path of shore in front of the hidden cave.

It had felt huge when he was a boy, not so much anymore. Still, at about eight feet deep and six across, it was big enough for them to enter standing up.

Shane headed for the back. Local boys still came here as evidenced by the stack of wood for the stone-ring fire pit. Matches. A few folded blankets that smelled recently washed.

Since they had time on their hands--they wouldn’t be able to continue hunting for Thomas until the next night, he wouldn’t allow Niki to do something so dangerous while she was weak--he started a fire. Light filled the small cave and he pointed to the far wall.

Niki turned, gasping at the cave paintings.

“
Who did these?”

“
Some are older than spit. The ones on the bottom are the most recent.” He touched the wall, feeling the power of age and the spirits of those who’d come before him. “This horse is mine.”

She drew closer, staring at the white stallion galloping over a yellow prairie. “It’s beautiful.”

She brushed against him as she tried to get a better look. His groin tightened. He inhaled her scent. She caught his gaze and the air sparked, warming with thick, needy tension.

All at once, the worry he’d felt earlier engulfed him. He turned her to face him, laying his hands on her shoulders. This time, he would do things right. He wanted this woman, and he would control himself, taking things slow rather than letting the driving need push him too fast. “I’m going to kiss you, Nicola DeVeraux.”

Her eyes widened, lips parting as the tip of her pink tongue darted out and wetted them. Fear filled her face, but she didn’t run. Emotions flashed through her eyes. As if she made her choice, she leaned into his embrace.

He drew her against his chest, relishing the feel of her body pressing against him. He kissed her, his lips lingering. Her hands rubbed along his back, and beneath her touch, his heart raced. His blood heated. He had the primitive urge to fill her and prove they were both alive.

He groaned, pushing her lips apart to taste her. Their kiss became urgent, frenzied.

She started to pull back, but Shane held her tight. “Don’t run away again. Not yet.”

The need to flee flashed in her emerald gaze. Her pupils were enlarged, the thinnest band of red rimming the green.

“
There’s no future in this.” Her whisper turned husky. “No future in us.”

Though her words were true, they pierced him deeply. The ache spread. He didn’t care what the truth might be. They could make their own fate, their own truth, if they wanted.

He kissed her again, taking and giving. She moaned, pressing closer to him. When he broke away, they were both breathing heavily.

He told her, “Then live only for now.”

***

A voice silently screamed at Niki to run away, far and fast, before this man became too dangerous to her peace of mind. Yet, even as she strained to listen, it was overpowered and drowned out by another.

Shane’s.

“
Forget tomorrow. For once, live for now,” he repeated, caressing her cheek, lifting her chin so she met his gaze.

She didn’t know how, or even if she could. But she’d been cold and lonely for so long. And this man made her feel the warmth of life.

Slowly, unsure of herself, she leaned in and kissed his sensual mouth.

Shane growled, sweeping her into his embrace. His hands trailed down her sides, clasped her waist. The intensity frightened her, but she didn’t back away from the fire burning between them.

She took hold of it, melted against his unyielding chest, pressing as close as she could get to his heat.

He drew back, a sensuous smile on his lips. “You’re not running.”

“
Not yet.”

He groaned and pulled her down to the hard, sandy ground. She lay on top of him, feeling his heart beating, his very breath. Blood pounded in her temples, flushing through her. His hardness pressed between her thighs.

Beyond her control, her fangs extended.

He kissed her again. His tongue slipped across one long fang, and he jerked back. The taste of his blood, an aphrodisiac in its own right, filled her mouth. He shuddered, staring into her eyes. Lifting her up, he devoured her mouth once more.

As he deepened their kiss, her body came fully awake. She rubbed against him, loving the sparks of friction.

He ran his hands over her back, cupped her butt in his firm grip as she wiggled, delighting in the way his hardness pressed between her thighs.

She curled her fingers in his long, soft hair, licked his lips, along his jaw and down his neck. His heartbeat made the vein on his throat throb. She pressed her mouth to his skin, resisting the urge to nibble.

He reached between them and tugged her shirt from her jeans, then slowly unbuttoned it. Her breasts ached to feel his touch. His hands were rough on her skin, sending shivers through her. He unclasped her bra and pushed her upright.

The lace slid down her arms and she let it fall to the sand. His gaze caressed her, making her nipples tighten. He cupped her breasts, flicking his thumbs over the throbbing tips.

She gasped as electrifying thrills shot through her, the needy ache spreading. She tugged at his shirt and slipped it over his head. She wanted, needed to feel his bare skin.

He rolled her to the ground, hovering above her. “Still not running?”

In answer, she arched up to rub against him. He licked down the slope of one breast and captured a nipple between his lips. Her body shuddered as pleasure swamped her.

Shane rose, reaching for her jeans. He unsnapped them, tugged them down her hips, her thighs. He slipped off her shoes, then the pants, leaving her lying on the packed sand in nothing but her panties.

“
You’re beautiful,” he whispered, running his hands lightly up her legs.

She blinked, trying to come up with something to say. Finally, she muttered, “You’re wearing too many clothes.”

He chuckled and stood, removing his own jeans.

Niki gasped as he revealed himself to her. He was long and hard and ready.

“
Not much for underwear?” she asked.

“
Nope.” He knelt between her thighs, placing light kisses along her hips and belly. His fingers softly traced the edges of her underwear.

The longer he teased her, the more she fought the urge to grab him and make him hurry. Shane tugged the straps of her panties down an inch, kissing her bared skin. Then he cupped her wet heat. She moaned, her back bowing to his touch. She pulsed with need beneath his touch, wanting more. So much more.

She stopped thinking and gave over to all he made her feel.

***

Shane ran his hands over her velvety skin, amazed at how she had gone from cool to hot so quickly. She was ready, damp beneath his fingers. Her lips curled in a smile, her eyes were unfocused, green and bright.

He wanted to take this slow, afraid he’d scare her away with the intensity of how much he wanted to bury himself inside her. He tugged her panties down her hips, slipping them off. Then he nuzzled her belly, nibbling his way down. When he flicked her with his tongue, she gasped. Her hands fisted in his hair.

He cupped her ass, lifting her to taste her heat. She trembled beneath him, breath coming faster. He teased her with his mouth, licking her soft, wet skin. She wiggled beneath his mouth, her breath coming in sharp little pants that drove him on. He twisted, tasting her deeper, until she cried out her pleasure.

When he met her gaze, she looked dreamy, a satisfied smile on her swollen lips.

Staring into her eyes, his chest filled with a sweet softness. This woman made him feel so much.

***

Niki trembled beneath Shane’s reverent gaze. She’d forgotten a man’s body could make her delirious with need, yearning to be filled, completed.

His hands and mouth roamed her skin. Another tight ball of tension built inside her as he explored every inch.

She relished the feel of him, how his muscles were so hard beneath her touch. Their legs entwined, skin against skin, as he kissed her, his tongue thrusting, invading. He caressed her breasts, her stomach, her hips.

She spiraled into the heady sensations racing through her body. The cool air of the night caressed her heated skin, and where he touched her, sparks ignited. Her breath came in quick pants as he rose above her, meeting her gaze as he drove his length deep inside.

She took him in willingly, letting him fill her.

The sensations wouldn’t be denied. She felt everything fully, as if her senses had expanded to encompass the magic between them. Shane groaned as he moved inside her. She rose to meet each thrust, certain she couldn’t take any more, yet wanting it all.

She clenched his shoulders, his muscles bunching beneath her grip. Their eyes locked as he continued to pleasure her. In his dark golden gaze, something shifted. Niki felt an answering pulse in her heart.

They were connected, not just joining as a woman and a man, but as something beyond.

Something which had no name she was willing to use.

He eased inside her, hips undulating. She gasped as the tension built higher, faster. Then the pleasure swept her over the edge. Her breathy cries echoed from the rocky walls, mixing with his groans. He drove deeper.